Chapter 3
859 Words
Olivia heard Sophia calling out, but she didn't so much as flinch. She stood her ground, holding onto Mia as if her life depended on it.
Mia, hearing her mom's voice, wriggled to get down. Worried she might fall, Sophia rushed forward to catch her, but Olivia stubbornly refused to let go.
Amid the struggle, Mia suddenly tipped backward. For a split second, she dangled dangerously, as if she might fall. Panicked, Sophia broke into a cold sweat and managed to grab her just in time, steadying her little body.
Breathing a shaky sigh of relief, she clutched her daughter close. But the sudden weightlessness had already frightened Mia, who burst into tears, crying her heart out.
"Mia, sweetheart, don't cry. Daddy's got you," John said, stretching his arms out to take his daughter from Olivia.
This time, Olivia didn't resist and handed over the girl without a fuss.
As John gently patted his daughter's back, he threw a sharp look at Sophia. "What are you getting all worked up about? Olivia was just holding her because she likes her. If anything, your overreaction almost made her fall!"
Too busy calming her daughter, Sophia didn't bother to argue. She softly reassured Mia, "It's okay, baby. Mommy didn't mean to scare you. No more tears, all right?"
"Little Mia, don't be scared," Olivia chimed in with a smile, feigning concern. "I had you nice and tight—you weren't going anywhere." Then she turned to John, teasing, "Your daddy is so strong! He could give you a piggyback ride and never get tired."
John chuckled, playing along. He lifted Mia onto his shoulders. Like most kids, she loved being up high. She giggled and clung to his head, her earlier scare already forgotten, her face glowing with joy.
With Mia happily perched on his shoulders, John headed for the family roller coaster.
Olivia trailed closely by his side, their laughter and conversation flowing effortlessly.
Behind them, Sophia hurried to keep up. She couldn't take her eyes off her daughter, worried she might fall. She walked on tiptoe, hands hovering protectively behind Mia, even though she wasn't close enough to catch her.
When they got to the roller coaster, there wasn't much of a wait. Before long, it was their turn. Mia eagerly pulled John and Olivia toward the ride.
But when Sophia tried to follow, a staff member stepped in. "Sorry, Miss. This group is full. You'll have to wait for the next one."
Standing outside the barrier, she hesitated, thinking about calling them back. But the three of them were already walking away, not even glancing over their shoulders.
All she could do was stand there, watching as they disappeared into the crowd. She could hear their laughter from afar—carefree, vibrant, and close-knit. For a moment, it felt like they were the family, while she was just an outsider looking in.
When they came out, still brimming with excitement, Mia spotted her mom and asked in surprise, "Mommy, didn't you come with us?"
The thrill of the ride had left a light sheen of sweat on her forehead, and her cheeks glowed a healthy pink. After weeks of struggling with illness—barely eating, barely sleeping—she finally looked lively again.
Sophia's heart softened. She didn't want to spoil her daughter's mood, so she forced a smile. "No, sweetie. I stayed down here and took lots of pictures of you!"
Grinning from ear to ear, Mia planted a big, slobbery kiss on her cheek. Seeing her daughter so happy, Sophia thought to herself, 'as long as she's smiling, that's all that matters.'
Just as John opened his mouth to say something, Olivia pointed to the carousel nearby. "Look, Mia! Want to try that one next?"
"Yeah!" Mia squealed, grabbing her dad's hand and dragging him along.
And just like that, they played until the sun dipped below the horizon.
When dinner time rolled around, Mia tugged on John's arm, her big, innocent eyes looking up at him. "Daddy, I want pizza. Can we all go together with Auntie Olivia?"
John smiled and nodded, but before he could reply, Olivia chimed in, "Oh, I'm so sorry, Mia! I still have some work to finish tonight, so I can't join you."
Mia pouted but didn't press. Turning back to John, she clasped her little hands together. "Then let's just go as a family, okay? Pretty please?"
John hesitated, torn by her cuteness.
Olivia leaned in, her tone playful yet insistent. "Mr. Smith, I can't handle tonight's painting all on my own, you know."
After a long pause, John sighed and knelt to face Mia.
"You and Mommy go ahead. Daddy has to help Olivia tonight, but I'll be home later, okay?"
Though disappointed, Mia nodded reluctantly. Her little pout spoke volumes, though.
John ruffled her hair before turning to Sophia. "I'll probably be back late tonight. You two go to bed without me."
With that, he walked off with Olivia. As their figures disappeared into the distance, a faint trace of perfume lingered in the air.
It was the same scent Sophia had smelled on John that morning.
- Writer
